De-stressing vs exercise . . .

Sunday, April 08, 2012

It's 10pm, Sunday night, and I'm just about to go to bed. I did no exercise today, but do you know what, I don't think it's that big a deal.

Here's what I did today: I woke up about 8am sandwiched between my 2 cats, and I thought how cool is this to have 2 great friends, no pressure, lots of lovin', always there, perfect house-mates. My siamese boy he loves a good belly massage, so he lay there, belly up waiting for me to give hum a rub, which of course i did. Then wee nosey pants thought she would take a look at what was going on, and pushed her way in for some attention too! Cats satisfied, I got up, made myself a cup of tea and took it back to bed, and sat reading my book for a couple of hours, just enjoying the peace and quiet.

Finally hauled myself out of bed, made a nice breakfast of scrambled eggs, lite cheese and home grown tomato on the sourdough bread I made yesterday - not too many calories, tasty and good healthy food.

I prepared 3kg of my tomatoes to make some Tomato Kasundi relish, which included roasting the spices, salting the tomatoes etc. Started making a rye sourdough loaf and in between steps I just hung out in the back yard, lying in my hammock, enjoying the beautiful sunshine, and reading my book. Every so often I would get up to give my bread a knead, shape the loaf, stir the relish, sterilize the jars, bake the loaf, make a cup of tea, get back in the hammock and read some more book. Before I knew it, the sun had disappeared, I had fogotten to hang the washing out on the line to dry, the bread was cooked, the relish was in the jars and I was hungry for some dinner.

I watched a movie I had recorded on tele, had a nice soak in the spa pool and another read of my book. Now it's time to hit the hay, and as my opener said, I've done no exercise. But do you know what? I feel great! It was a wonderful, relaxing day, that was good for my soul.

Most days are such a rush, trying to get a million jobs done, feeling bad there are still so many to do, the stress of work, the pressure of friends wanting to go out and do things, organizing finances, trying to lose weight . . . . . It seems like an endless battle. Sometimes what we need is to just stop, enjoy the day, do nothing, smell the roses.

To be honest, I feel as good as if I'd done a really challenging workout. But more peaceful. There was no stress, and it feels great. I think I (and probably we all) need to smell the roses more often. Have you stopped to smell them lately?

CONIFERA
I'm catching up on some days of back postings...while you were enjoying your lovely relaxing Sunday, I was visiting family and playing with my baby nephew -- he turned one that day. I didn't exercise either, but was thoroughly engrossed in the moment. They say that children and animals live in the now, what we adults too often forget how to do. In essence, you and I were doing the same thing that day.

I gather that relaxing into such a day may actually BOOST progress in the long run, letting the body knit itself stronger. Far more valuable than yet another day of pushing and straining.

We're now approaching another weekend...I hope you and I will both find some more, lovely respite 1693 days ago

ANNETTEV8
What a lovely cruisy yet productive day of simple pleasures! Love the sound of your sourdough bread and relish!! Would be great to have your recipe!

A good book is fatal - one could just fritter the day away happily - lost in another world and time. (I am talking about my pre-child days here) I see you have mastered the strategy of reading a chapter and doing a job then reading another chapter etc etc! The no-guilt book worm strategy!

You are so right - it is good for the soul to stop and enjoy things you love! Its all about balance.... 1705 days ago